The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand is seen as a classic by many, but I somehow can’t see that. In my month of reading the novel, I didn’t feel any special click with a book my brother considers to be one of his favorites. It was easy for me to just stop for a while and come back to it without any recollection of what I had just read.

This is a big book. And the thing about big books is that you have to fill them up (obviously). It seems that the filler in these pages keeps repeating over and over without any real connection. Once I got to the end, there was a much clearer connection, but the majority of the plot was repetitive.

It was the same situation happening multiple times: one guy seems to know more about life than the dumb majority. But since the majority is dumb, they constantly stop the “enlightened” one from doing what he wants. Among the dumb majority is someone else, someone who is also “enlightened” and simply plays to the dumb majority’s wants.

*Spoiler Alert*

 

Howard Roark is enlightened guy number one. We’re introduced to him as he is expelled from the architecture school he attends. Some take it that he’s bad at architecture, but the opposite is actually true. On the other hand, Roark’s roommate, Peter Keating, seems to be having the best time of his life. He won a choice between a full-ride scholarship and a job offer.

But as the plot develops, Keating is the one who goes to Roark for advice. Keating knows Roark has something that he doesn’t, and can never have. Keating’s success is a constant torture because it’s a reminder that he didn’t get where he is purely with skill.

In the above scheme of events, there doesn’t seem to be much repetition. It actually seems quite interesting. And if Ayn Rand had somehow expanded more on just that small summary, I wouldn’t be writing such a negative review. I was never really focused. I like books that can hold my attention, even when I’m really busy; that’s the whole concept of a good story and plot line.

I would still recommend reading this book. Why? There was a lot I missed since I wasn’t as consistent in my reading, so I probably didn’t get the full experience. I personally plan on re-reading the novel. It’s 694 pages, and with my inconsistency, it took a month to read. But if you find it good enough, you could finish it in three weeks.

Good luck in your reading.